Make Noise STO - Manual (Page 6)

The WAVEFORM OUTPUTS
There are three wave shapes that are derived from the oscillator core. These signals are all roughly 10V
peak to peak and centered around 0V (bi-polar).
The SINE wave is derived from the TRIANGLE core of the oscillator and is provided as an output because it
is great for blending with signals of greater harmonic content in order to strengthen the fundamental. The
SINE shape has almost no harmonics, so it is also a good starting point for creating complex FM sounds
because the sidebands introduced through FM will not be obscured by harmonics present in the signals
utilized.
The Variable SHAPE is a unique waveform that is derived from the SINE. It is more harmonically rich then
the SINE, but the fundamental frequency is still very strong. The Variable SHAPE will carry the harmonics
and sidebands introduced through Hard SYNC and FM with greater presence then the SINE shape. The end
result is that the it will be more aggressive signal when using Hard SYNC or FM. The Variable SHAPE is
also excellent for patching Subtractive synthesis sounds.
The Sub-Oscillator is a stepped rectangular shape derived from the comparator on the core of the STO and
will be affected by SYNC patches as well as the EXPO, Linear FM and 1V/Octave inputs and controls. The
sound is similar to a Square wave, but it is one octave below the frequency of the Variable SHAPE and SINE
waveforms making it very pleasant to combine with these signals. It will thinken the sound and provide more
harmonics for filters such as the MMG to work upon.
Control INPUTS
There are several control inputs on the STO, all of which conform to the system wide standards. Just about
any control or audio signals will be effective in some way at these inputs.
The EXPO CV INput is similar to the 1V/ Octave Input and in fact could be used for adding a second
sequence (combining two sequences) or transposing a sequence patched to the 1V/Octave input. It is also
highly useful for sweeping the Frequency of the STO to animate SYNC sounds or percussion patches. If wild
textures are desired, the EXPO input could be used to implement Exponential FM. When using for modula-
tion be sure to patch a VCA such as the Optomix in series before the EXPO CV IN as there is no attenuator
associate with this input.
The 1V/Octave INput is typically used for controlling the Pitch of the STO from a sequencer, CV Keyboard or
Midi to CV convertor. It could also be used for all of the functions described above in the EXPO CV IN para-
graph. When using for modulation be sure to patch a VCA such as the Optomix in series before the EXPO
CV IN as there is no attenuator associate with this input.
The S-Gate input will turn ON, OFF and Reset the Sub-Oscillator. Just about any signal will work as a gate
at this input. There is just two states, Sub ON and Sub OFF. Additionally, the Sub will reset at the onset of
the gate HIGH state (Sub ON). This input is useful for animating the Sub-Oscillator, allowing it to have rythy-
mic or percussive patterns not associate with the other outputs of the STO. If more narrow signal is used at
this input, such as SAW from VCO A onn the DPO, it is possible to create sync type sound in the Sub-Oscil-
lator while the other outputs, SINE and Variable SHAPE, are not affected.
The Linear FM input and associated attenuator is described below in the FM, SYNC and Variable SHAPE
section.
The SYNC input is described below in the FM, SYNC and Variable SHAPE section.
The Variable SHAPE input and associated attenuator is described below in the FM, SYNC and
Variable SHAPE section.